A&FRC Telework training fills need

  • Published
  • By Minty Knighton
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Military spouses packed the room for the Home-Based Career and Telework Job Development Training Program offered by the Airmen Family and Readiness Center here May 6.

Attendees came to get guidance on gaining income, career growth or working flexible hours.

"I have a 15-year-old who's getting to be independent, but I still can't leave him at home, so I want to do something from home," said military spouse Debbi Lacy. "I was frustrated. I have a Master's degree and a teaching certificate, so I feel there's got to be something I can do."

Lacy's frustration isn't uncommon, which is why A&FRC sponsors the program. This is the third year and it serves a two-fold purpose.

"One, we see spouses daily coming in looking for jobs, so there is a need for it," said Roseline Anderson, Employment Resource Program Manager for A&FRC. "Secondly, we provide training like this in support of presidential and Department of Defense initiatives."

The government recognizes spouses face unique challenges related to transition and employment prospects, so current initiatives like the White House's Joining Forces and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership were developed to offer spouses professional opportunities as well as portable careers, which was right in line with the efforts of Christine Durst who provided the training.

"When we first started our company we couldn't figure out why we were getting such a large interest from military spouses, then my partner, who was more familiar with the military realized it was a portability issue," said Durst.

Durst was able to partner with DoD to offer military families training and hope. She has managed to aid more than 12,000 people in the U.S. military and Department of State in addition to 65 other organizations world-wide.

"There's a common need," said Mark Wilke, A&FRC director. "We're filling a gap for our families and helping get them the income."

The program not only taught how to search telework friendly companies, but it also offered several other good elements including determining if you're a good candidate for home-based work, how to customize a resume' for remote hiring, how to work with distractions in the home and how to be a contractor. The contractor portion was of special interest to Tech. Sgt. Antwon Simpson, of the 96th Maintenance Group, who's looking to start his own business.

"I have 22 years in the military and I'm retiring soon," said Simpson. "I have a Bachelor's Degree in aviation and I figured I could either stay in the field and be kind of happy or take a chance and explore working for myself."

Simpson was glad he attended.

"I feel very hopeful," he said. "I think I have the tools that will help me for the immediate future."